Car Crime

Description

Crime involving cars - whether involving offences by drivers or theft of and from cars - represents a substantial proportion of offences committed, and occupies an enormous amount of police time. But it is not always perceived as the serious crime that it is: many traffic offences cause enormous harm in terms of death and injury, but are often not regarded seriously by drivers, the criminal justice system and the state. Other than theft of and from cars it is arguable that car crime is socially constructed as 'not real crime' or 'not even crime'. This book is the first to survey the whole area.  Read more... Abstract: Crime involving cars - whether involving offences by drivers or theft of and from cars - represents a substantial proportion of offences committed, and occupies an enormous amount of police time. But it is not always perceived as the serious crime that it is: many traffic offences cause enormous harm in terms of death and injury, but are often not regarded seriously by drivers, the criminal justice system and the state. Other than theft of and from cars it is arguable that car crime is socially constructed as 'not real crime' or 'not even crime'. This book is the first to survey the whole area Content: Cover Car Crime Copyright Contents Table of cases Tables Preface Chapter 1 Car culture and the construction of car crime Our embeddedness within car culture Why a book on car crime? What is car crime? Theoretical perspectives on car crime Key themes of the book and chapter outline Summary of main points Chapter 2 The car in historical context Introduction A privilege of the elite Increasing accessibility and road casualties Towards the millennium and the challenges ahead Summary of main points Chapter 3 Not real crime? Introduction. Illustrations of the low perceived seriousness of road traffic offendingExplanations for the low seriousness accorded road traffic offending Concluding comments Summary of main points Chapter 4 'Car crime' as theft of and from a vehicle Car crime as theft Historical and legal context of car theft The extent and trends of vehicle theft Vehicle theft for contents and parts Vehicle theft for temporary use: joyriding Vehicle theft for permanent deprivation: professional theft Crime control efforts Crime control efforts Concluding comments Summary of main points. Chapter 5 Impaired driving: alcohol, drugs and fatigueIntroduction Historical and legal context of impaired driving offences Alcohol-impaired driving Drug-impaired driving: illegal drugs Drug-impaired driving: legal drugs Fatigue-impaired driving Concluding comments Concluding comments Summary of main points Summary of main points Chapter 6 Speeding Introduction Historical and legal context of speeding Extent and trends in speeding Female and male drivers compared Crime control efforts Chapter 7 Bad driving: dangerous and careless offences Introduction. Historical and legal context of bad drivingExtent and trends in bad driving offences Road rage Mobile phones and other in-vehicle distractions Police vehicle accidents (PVAs) The perspectives of victims and the bereaved Crime control efforts Concluding comments Summary of main points Chapter 8 Unlicensed driving Introduction Historical and legal context of unlicensed driving Extent and trends in unlicensed driving Crime control efforts Abandoned and untaxed vehicles (AUVs) Concluding comments Summary of main points Chapter 9 Car crime in wider society Introduction. The power of motor manufacturersWork-related road risk Concluding comments Summary of main points Chapter 10 Past, present and future directions Introduction Legacy of the past Concerns and dilemmas of the present Future prospects Back to the centre References Index.